South East IrelandTravel Guide

Ireland has more than its fair share of outstanding archaeological sites, but the Rock of Cashel is arguably the most impressive. The 'rock' from which it takes its name is, in fact, a limestone hill, covered in luscious green, rising from the plain which characterises the surrounding area. The word 'cashel', by contrast, is derived from the Irish Gaelic word caiseal, meaning stone fortress.

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In both respects, the Rock of Cashel lives up to its title. The rock itself is vast and imposing, and one can only imagine the difficulties it would have posed for attackers throughout the ages who had designs on the stone fortress above. The masonry of the fort itself is no less spectacular and is remarkably well preserved almost a full millennium after its original construction.

The history of the site itself is long and varied. First used as a base for Welsh invaders, the Eóghanachta clan, who would become kings of this region of Ireland. The clan, and hence the rock, have been closely associated with St. Patrick (considered by many historians to be a Welshman), earning Cashel's pseudonym, St. Patrick's Rock.

Although under Eóghanachta rule, Cashel would rival Tara as Ireland's centre of power, it was wrested from their control in the Tenth Century before being presented to the Church in 1101. The site would change hands many times again in the centuries to follow, giving rise to the various buildings whose remains now occupy it.

Waterford Crystal is known the world over for its quality and, throughout a history that dates back to its establishment in the South-East of Ireland in 1783, it has been a landmark of its own in this part of Ireland. Today, Waterford Crystal is no less recognisable than its sister brands, Wedgewood and Royal Doulton.

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The visitor centre is a modern building on The Mall, a tour of which teaches visitors how crystal is made. Undoubtedly the most popular part of the tour is the blowing room, where the crystal glasses, vases, etc. are 'blown' into shape.

A picture-postcard Irish destination found on the banks of the River Nore, Kilkenny has all the charm and history you could ask for. An ancient setting, with its castle and cathedral, it is home to many equally ancient pubs, where good craic and good live music are assured. Kilkenny also has a great selection of restaurants to choose from. The Medieval Mile, connecting the 13th century St. Canice's Cathedral and the 12th century Kilkenny Castle, lets you chart a journey through the city while exploring its beginnings.

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The city is a real hidden gem: although many first-time visitors don't put it at the top of their 'must-see' list, almost everyone who travels here is glad that they made the journey. Kilkenny, in recent years, has gained a reputation as one of Ireland's more cosmopolitan cities. During the summer months, there are endless festivals and general goings-on to enjoy.

Like the Rock of Cashel, Tintern Abbey owes its heritage to Wales, founded as it was by the Earl of Pembroke in the Thirteenth Century for the benefit of its Welsh monk inhabitants. Today, there remains a Welsh counterpart with the same name. The abbey became the living quarters of the Colclough family in the 16th century and has a long history as a private residence. 45-minute guided tours of the property are available.

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Much of the original building still stands, including the cloister walls and crossing tower, as well as the chancel and transept chapels. But visitors will enjoy the surroundings at least as much as the abbey itself, with lakes, streams, woods and ruins providing distractions for all age groups. Perhaps most alluring of all is the Colclough Walled Garden, built over 200 years ago and restored since 2010. During these restorations and conservations works, special measures have been taken to protect local bat colonies.

One of Europe's oldest cities with a rich Viking heritage, today's Waterford retains its charming old-world feel. Its intersecting narrow streets and alleyways lead visitors on mini journeys of discovery as they explore. As well as the well-known House of Waterford Crystal, visitors should look out for the Waterford Treasures museums: the Medieval Museum, Reginald's Tower and Bishop's Palace.

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A must-see destination for all foodies visiting Ireland, Dungarvan is home to the regular farmers' market, the Waterford Festival of Food, and the Tannery Restaurant and Cooking School.

Only a short walking distance or short cycle from Waterford City, you will find the Waterford Greenway. This cycling and walking route follows the old railway lines along the coast. You can rent a bicycle in Waterford City to explore the 46 km route and discover the many attractions and stops along the way.

The Glen of Aherlow is a valley found in the western part of County Tipperary, between the Slievenamuck and Galtee Mountains. The main village of the valley is Lisvarrinane. The Irish poet and Catholic priest Geoffrey Keating took refuge in the caves of the valley while on the run and writing his masterpiece 'Foundation of Knowledge on Ireland'.

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Keen walkers and occasional strollers will be equally glad they looked up the eight looped walking trails that are marked here. Five of these start at the Christ the King Trail Head. The rest all begin at Lisvarinane Village Trail Head. Distances range from one mile to four miles.

The Swiss Cottage is located near the town of Cahir in County Tipperary. It was built around 1810 by Richard Butler, the first Earl of Glengall—who later went on to marry Emily Jeffereys of Blarney Castle. The cottage was a part of the estate of Lord and Lady Cahir and gets its name due to its resemblance to an Alpine cottage. The most striking feature of the Swiss Cottage is its traditional thatched roof. The woodwork, on the exterior of the cottage, was designed to resemble tree branches. The interior features a spiral staircase and colourful, nature-inspired décor. The salon is decorated with wallpaper manufactured by the Dufour factory.

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During the 19th century, the cottage was used by the local gentry as a place where they could, in one of the stranger pass times of the times, live as peasants. Judging by the lavish interior of the cottage, in comparison with the homes that actual peasants would have lived in, the gentry were a long way off finding realism here. The Irish Georgian Society restored the cottage in 1985 and was opened to the public in 1989 as a historic house museum.

Dunmore East is a fishing village in County Waterford. It is located in an area that saw a huge influx of Norman and Viking invaders and eventually settlers (circa 795-1170 B.C). There are mentions of the village being active as a fishing port as far back as 1745. At the time, the homes of the fishermen were mainly located in the Lower Village. A historical document, from 1776, mentions that there was a fishing fleet of as many as fifty boats working off the coast.

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In 1812, the British government made the decision to locate a new landing port for passengers and mail, coming from England to Ireland, in Dunmore East. The construction of the pier took until 1837 to complete, at a cost of £108,000. By then the decision was made to have the Royal Mail station relocated to Waterford City. Today, Dunmore East is a thriving village, buoyed mainly by fishing throughout the year and by tourism in the summer, thanks in part to the huge number of cruise liners that dock there. 

The 18th-century is perhaps one of the most formative times in the history of Western democracy. It is also one of the bloodiest. The American and French revolutions would have a significant effect on the Irish sense of identity, not to mention the revolutionary spirit which ran through it.

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The 1798 Rebellion Centre charts the history of the attempted revolution of that year, thwarted by British military superiority and the ruthless deployment of spies, informants and torture tactics. After a bruising campaign, the Irish rebels regrouped on Vinegar Hill in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, where they would make their final stand against the British. The result was a crushing defeat for the Irish, whose superior numbers could not make up for the firepower of the redcoats below. Armed mostly with pikes, the Irish dead would number high in the thousands. The museum offers a 4D audiovisual interpretation of the battle.

With its monumental round tower, St Canice's Cathedral rises majestically above the north of Kilkenny's city centre. Perhaps understandably so: ranking just behind St Patrick's in Dublin, it is Ireland's second-largest medieval cathedral. Gothic in style, it is characterized by its iconic round tower which affords commanding views of the surrounding area. There are only two round towers in Ireland that you are allowed to climb and this is one of them.

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The history of the building itself, long and varied, began - at least according to legend - in the Sixth Century with the establishment of a monastery there by St Canice, Kilkenny's patron saint. Inside the building you will find the tomb of Bishop Ledrede. In the 14th Century, the bishop accused Alice Kyteler of witchcraft. The first person in the Irish records condemned for Witchcraft

Founded in the second half of the Twelfth century and recently partially restored, Jerpoint Abbey is one of Ireland's finest Cistercian ruins. It is located close to Thomastown in County Kilkenny. The main church, with its Romanesque flourishes, dates from these earliest days in the abbey's long history, but visitors will also find tombs dating from the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries, the tower and the cloisters date back to the fifteenth century. Look out for figures carved into the cloister pillars, some of them are quite entertaining.

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The abbey itself was built around 1180 and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Jerpoint Abbey continued to prosper until the English King, Henry VIII, called for the 'Dissolution of the Monasteries' between 1536 and 1541. The last abbot of the abbey, Oliver Grace, surrendered it to the king during this time. Since 1880, Jerpoint Abbey has been classified as a national monument and has been in the care of the Office of Public Works.

A secluded seaside village in Waterford, Ardmore attracts summer visitors to its long, sandy beach, as well as its cliff walks, shops and early Christian monuments. Visitors should add to their to-do list any and all of the following depending on your interests and group make-up: St Declan's Cathedral and Round Tower, Ballyquin Beach and Ardmore Pottery which will leave you well placed to finish the day with a cliff-top stroll before dinner.

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Dungarvan is a harbour town located at the heart of County Waterford, nestled beneath the Comeragh mountains. It has a population of just over 9,000 people, which increases significantly during the summer months. An excavation in Dungarvan, in the late 1800s, unearthed Ireland's only ever recording of Mammoth elephant bones. The town became one of Ireland's first urban centres, after a large Anglo-Norman fortification was established here in the 12th century. In 1649, Oliver Cromwell chose not to attack the town after a woman offered him wine as his army marched across the city gates.

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Over recent years, Dungarvan has gained a reputation as a must-see destination for all foodies visiting Ireland, it is home to the regular farmers' market, the Waterford Festival of Food, and the Tannery Restaurant & Cooking School.

This stunning region of south-east Ireland was declared a European Geopark in 2001 and a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2004. It earned its name following generations of metal-mining industry, the legacies of which now make the region such a tourist attraction. Today, it retains all of its geological diversity, with various marked walking trails offering unique access to this most charming face of Ireland stretching over 17kms of rugged coastline from Kilfarrasy to Stradbally.

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Visit the exhibition, suitable for all ages, at Copper Coast Geopark centre to learn more about the history of copper mining and the geology of the area. Pick up one of the walking trail cards there as well on the different trails and walks near Annetstown, Boastrand, Bunmahon, Dunhill, Fenor, Stradbally... Audio tours and guide services on the trails of the Copper Coast are also available.